WMT Soars After Earnings, Wealthier Customers Add Weight to Balance Sheet

Core Insights - Walmart reported impressive third-quarter earnings, beating expectations with earnings per share (EPS) of 62 cents, which was 2 cents higher than anticipated, and revenue of $179.5 billion, exceeding the expected $177 billion [3][4] - The company raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook for the second consecutive quarter, projecting a 5% increase in sales and adjusted earnings in the range of $258 to $263 million [7][10] E-commerce Performance - Walmart experienced significant e-commerce growth, with global sales up 27% and U.S. e-commerce sales increasing by 28%, driven by store-filled delivery of online orders and growth in advertising and third-party marketplace [4][5] - Revenue related to faster deliveries, which can reach 95% of U.S. households in under 3 hours, rose by 70% year-over-year, particularly benefiting from affluent customers [9] Consumer Behavior - There was a nearly 2% rise in foot traffic and a nearly 3% increase in the average ticket price in U.S. stores, with comparable store sales rising by 4.5%, surpassing the expected 4% growth [6][7] - The CFO noted that consumer habits remained stable, with shoppers spending selectively and seeking deals, while higher-income customers increasingly turned to Walmart for relief from rising prices [8] Market Reaction - Following Walmart's report, shares rose by 8.5%, positively impacting other retailers such as Target, Costco, and Home Depot, which also saw stock increases [14]